Tide or other motor.



N0. 7l2,l80. v Patented Oct. 28,1902.

J. T. COOITHORN. TIDE OR OTHER MOTOR.

(Application filed Nov. 30, 1901.)

0 0e. ee s 80? E 1 Z a??? d? d\ I d/ @60 4 G g 4 i s .63 4' 0- m0 2 y g W 4 Zak 271 886 es [Even/t0?" N0. 7|2,l80. Patented Oct. 28, I902.

J. T. COPITHURN.

TIDE OR OTHER MOTOR.

(Application filed Nov. 30, 1901.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets$heet 2.

I l V I fl laziness es I laden/t0? W% I wimziqa mwm rm: NORRIS versus co. wqroumou wuumcmn. a. c,

Patented Oct. 28, I902. J. T. COPITHORN.

THJE 0B OTHER MOTOR.

(Application filed Nov. 30, 1901.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3..

' a fiweni'or John T 60pi2iw 77L by M me NORFNS Mrrzns co. PriO10 LlTnQ., WISMINQTON, n c

ings, wherein I UNITED STATES PAT NT OFFI E.

JOHN T. coPrrnoRN, OFHINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.

TIDE ORFOTHER MOTOR.

SPECIFICATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 712,180, dated October 28, 1902'.

Application filed November 30. 1901. Serial No. 84,163. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern..-

Be it known that I, JOHN T. COPITHORN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hingham, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Tide or other Motors, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

Myinvention has for its object toprovide a novel and improved motor which is especially useful as a tide-motor, though not necessarily restricted to tides in its use.

To enable my invention to be understood, I will first describe one embodiment thereof in connection with the accompanying draw- Figure 1 in Vertical section partial end elevation shows a motor and its connections, illustrating my invention; Fig. 2, a top or plan view of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3, a diagrammatic view to aid in understanding the preferred operation of the motor, Figs. 1 and 2.

In the embodiment of my invention used for illustration herein and shown in the drawings, referring first to Fig. 1, a is a wall of suitable shape, construction, and height separating the motor parts and connections from the tide-water or communication therewitln Behind this wall o I have arranged a series of motor units b, o, and 01, arranged at different levels, herein one vertically above another, so as to be operated successively by a rising tide. e

As herein shown, the motor units b, c, and d are essentially the same in construction and operation as the corresponding units illustrated in United States Letters Patent No.

681,843, issued to me September 3, 1901, tov

in which revolves a driver-2, provided at its periphery with a plurality of preferably cupshaped vanes 3, against which the water or impelling fluid permitted to enter through the inlet 4 may act to drive the wheel before it and rotate the same as the said fluid flows around within the inclosing case to the outlet at 5. This driver 2 is mounted upon and rotates a driving-shaft 6, and, as is evident from Fig. 1, the impelling fluid or water is kept free of contact with the said shaft and its bearings, the Whole constituting a simple and efficientmotor for its purpose. As here shown, there are several similar motor units ber of motor units coupled to or upon a single shaft.

The inlets 4. of the several motor units 1) are connected with a common supply conduit or pipe I), that exte'nds'lengthwise the series and which has a branch 1)? penetrating the wall a. and communicating with tide-water at the opposite side thereof. The inlet branch 11 is controlled by a suitablegate b and each individual communication between the main feed-pipe b and the motor units b is controlled by a suitable valve 19 Thus the number of motor units in any one series permitted to operate and contribute power may be regulatedand varied at will.

The outlets 5 of the several motor units b communicate with a transversely-arranged discharge-pipe 17 they being severally controlled by valves b; The large-outlet-pipe b is providedwith a plurality of branches 12 con trolled,respectively, by gates b and leading, respectively, to as many receivers'orreservoirs B, B, B B B and B, there being one such receiver or reservoir for each discharge branch b Thus as the tide rises outside the wall a and reaches the level of the inlet b the inflowing waterin passing through the motor u nits b will rotate the drivers thereof and also the common drive-shaft 6, the discharge-water passing to the dischargepipe b thence to any one or'more of the receivers or reservoirs desired, aswill be described. V I Thesecoud series of m'otor'units ois artoo ranged at a higher level than the series I) a and is similarly connected and operated by the tide as the latter rises to the level of its inlet. The several inlet and outlet connections and valves therefor for the series of motor units 0 may be similar and similarly arranged to the corresponding inlets, outlets, and valves of the series I), the corresponding parts being indicated by corresponding indices and numbers used, however, in connection with the reference-letter c.

The series of motor units din turn is arranged at a higher level than the series 0 and is similarly piped and controlled, similar in- .dices being used in connection with the reference-letter d.

The several discharge-pipes b 0 and d one above the other, are connected at convenient points by vertical cross-pipes e 6, controlled, respectively, by gates e, whereby the discharge-pipe at any one level may be placed in communication with the discharge pipe or pipes at any other level or levels.

Arranged at opposite sides of the motor units from their several inlet-pipes b c d are other correspondingly-arranged inlets b 0 and d individually connected with the several motor units of their adjacent series under the control of valves 19 c and 01 and these opposite inlets b", c, and d are connected, respectively, with the several receivers or reservoirs B B, &c., by branches b c d, controlled, respectively, by gates b, 0 and 01 The several inlet-pipes b c d in turn are connected vertically one with another at convenient points by crosspipes e under the control of gates e Having described the specific arrangement of piping and valves, Figs. 1 and 2, and referring now mainly to the diagram'Fig. 3, the operation of the motor is as follows: The bottom of the wall a is assumed to be at the highest low-tide level, and, assuming the tide to be at low ebb, as the tide rises outside the wall a, and reaches the level of the inlet 19 the water will enter through said inlet, and, the valves b, Fig. 1, being opened and the valves b being closed, will pass through the several motor units 1), causing rotation by the drivers thereof of the shaft 6 to furnish power for any desired purpose. The discharge from the motor units passes out at 5 through the open valves 5 into the discharge-pipe b and from the latter into one of the receivers-for instance, the receiver B -the gates leading to the other receivers being closed. The receiver B by its bottom area or by connection wit-h other receivers (not shown) is sufficiently large to take the entire discharge from the 19 series of motor units during the time required for the tide to rise from the inlet 2) to the inlet 0 without causing a rise in the level of water in said receiver B above the level of the discharge branch b leading thereinto, it being evident that as soon as the water-level in the receiver rises to or above the said dischargepipe b the movement of the Z) series of motor units will be retarded or stopped. As it is desirable that the bottoms of the several receivers B B, &c., be at the level of the highest full ebb-tide in order that they may be drained and as the distance between the bottoms of such receivers and the level of the discharge-pipes b is less than the distance between ebb-tide and the inlet 12 it is necessary that the bottoms of the said receivers be larger in area than the upper portions thereof or the receivers connected with other reservoirs or overflows, (not shown otherwise the water flowing to the receivers would fill up to and above the level of the discharge-pipe 11 before the tide outside the .wall a reaches the level of the second inlet 0 The water continues to enter through the inlet 12 and operate the Z) series of motor units until, as stated, the contents of the receiver B reach the level of the discharge-pipe 12 at or about which time the rising tide outside the wall a reaches the level of the second inlet 0 and enters thereat to cause rotation of the drivers of the 0 series of motor units, which likewise are now permitted to discharge into the same receiver B operation of the first or Z) series of motor units being stopped by closing the gate 6 tained in operation while the tide is rising from inlet to inlet (1 the discharge thereof entering the receiver B and by reason of the more restricted area-of said receiver B above the pipe filling the latter to the level of the second discharge-pipe c at about the time the rising tide reaches the level of the third inlet d As the water enters through the inlet d and operates the dseries of motor units the a series is cut out by closing the inlet-gate c and the discharge for the (1 series is. passed also to the said receiver B through the discharge-pipe The d series of motor units continues to be operated until the tide reaches its highest normal level, which is at or about the point indicated by the drawings, Fig. 1, outside the wall a..

When the tide is full at the level indicated, the receiver B has been filled by the discharge from the cseries of motor units up to the level of the discharge-pipe d of the highest or 61 series. During the rising tide and while the motor units b, c, and d have been operated thereby receivers B and B have been permitted to fill gradually by the rising tide, the water therefor passing thereinto through the bottom flush-pipef, Fig. 1, controlled by the gate f, there being one such flush-pipe for each receiver, so that when the tide is full said receivers B and B will be filled to the same level as the tide, in addition to the receiver B filled to the level of the highest discharge-pipe (1 As the tide commences to recede the inlet-gate d Fig. 1, is closed and the gate (Z leading from the receiver B, is opened, together with, say, the valves Z2 and the necessary communicating valves and gates to permit water from the full receiver B to flow outward through the pipes d d down through the connection 6 to the pipe 12 thence through the open valves D to and through the 1) series of motor units Thecseries of motor units is main-:

to.operate the latter, the discharge therefrom passing to the discharge-pipe b and from the latter into the bottom of, say, the fourth receiver B so that during the fall of the water-level in the receiver B from its original level to the level of the pipe (1, which corresponds with the fallof the tide from its full level to the level ofthe inlet 0?, the first or b series of motor units Will'be operated precisely as if by a rising tide, with the discharge flowing into the empty receiver B When the level in the receiver B falls to or below the pipe d, the gate'c controlling the pipe 0 at the next lower level, is opened from said receiver and-the lowestgate 6 closed to cause water from said receiver thereafter to flow out through the said pipe 0 into the pipe 0 thence through the various branches and the open valves 0 into and through the 0 series of motor units, the discharge therefrom passing through the open valve 0 into the discharge-pipe c thence receiver B The 0 series of motor units is thus continued in operation until the waterlevel in the said receiver B falls to the level of said pipe o during which time the tide has receded from the level of the inlet (1 to the level of the inlet 0 It is now impossible longer to utilize the water .flowingfrom the receiver B into the receiver B because the water accumulated in the latter has risen above the dischargedevel for the only remaining or 19 series of motor units that is below and capable of operation by the reduced Water-level in reservoirB. Consequently I must drain into an empty receiver, and therefore I open the gate b controllingthe branch I)", that leads to the bottoms of the fifth receiver B and permit water from the'receiver B to discharge through its pipe b ,thence through and to operate the Z) series of motor units, the discharge therefrom flowing into the bottom of the said empty receiver E the operation of said Z) series of motors being thus continued until the water-level in the receiver B falls to the level of its said outlet b, at which time the tide has receded outside the wall a to the level of the inlet 22*. There remains the necessity to continue the operation of some one of the series of motor units during the time the tideis receding,

from the level of the inlet b? to full ebb and recovers again to the level of the inlet b before the incoming tide can be again utilized for power. drawing from the still full receiver B through the d series of motors and discharging therefrom into the receiver B until the level of the water in the said receiver 13 rises to the level of the discharge-pipe d for said 61 series, during which time the tide has receded to full ebb. The pipe 01 leading to said receiver B is now closed by its gate 61 and the discharge-pipe 0 leading into the receiver B is opened, so that while the tide is rising from full ebb to the first level-inlet b said a series This may be accomplished by now i of IIlOiEOI'S will be operated by water flowing from said receiver B through said a series into said receiver B The tide has now'recovered to the level of the first inlet 0 and the different series of motor units may be operated by the rising tide andthe cycle of operations heretofore described repeated. When the tide was at full ebb, the receiver B which received the discharge from the various series of motor units during the risin g tide,'was emptied through its dischargepipe f, so that by the time the tide has recovered-t0 the level of the first inlet there is presented an empty receiver B for the discharge from said three series of motor units during the rising tide, as before. The receiver B was likewise emptied at low tide, so as to be in readiness for use at the next fall of the tide, as heretofore described. As the receiver B cannot be conveniently emptied at low tide because of the discharge thereinto during the first rise of the tide to. the first inlet 19 I have provided the additional receiver 13, which was not utilized during the cycleof operations just described, but which on the next succeeding cycle will be utilized instead of the receiver B and give opportu: nity. to empty receiver B on the next receding low tide. Thus the receivers 13 and B are used alternately, one being discharged at one low tide, while the other is receiving the discharge from the motors. In this manner I am enabled to operate successively in desired order the several series of motor units, so that there is always at least one series in operation, thus furnishing continuously and without interruption power equivalent to the power furnished by a single series of motor units during all the time the tide is rising and receding.

While it is possible to utilize the receding tide. for operating such series of motor unitsas may be at the proper level belowthe same forpower, yet-the discharge from such motor units as are operated must go into receivers provided therefor. They must always be emptied before they can be used on a succeed ing tide, and I find it therefore more convenient during the receding tide to draw from receivers that have been filled during the rising tide than to continue'to draw from the receding tide, whichwould result-in leaving a large number of receivers partiallyfi-lled with water to be emptied at low tide.

By the pipe connections described, which, as shown, are such as to enable any series of motor units to be connected with any of the receivers either for discharge thereinto or to receive operating power therefrom, I am enabled to operate said series in desiredorder,

which may be varied more or less under valeys p, Fig.1, which may be connected in any convenient manner with and to operate any desired shaft from which power is to'be taken for commercial use; but however connected or used, whether successively or in groups, the several motor units or series of motor units may be considered as constituting a motor capable of being operated for power throughout any part or all of the time required for a complete rise and fall of a tide. Of course one of the motor units is, in fact, a motor in and of itself and may be used for power to the extent of its capacity; but for the fullest embodiment of my invention a single motor unit would not furnish the required range of operation desired for the most exacting requirements. Consequently I prefer to employ a plurality of such units or a plurality of series of units arranged at as many different levels as desired and so arranged and connected as to enable the same to be operated in whole or in part substantially continuously, notwithstanding the movement of the tide is intermittent. Obviously, however, such an arrangement while of great convenience, giving awide range of adaptability to the powerstation under varying conditions, is not essential, for the piping could be such as to compel a fixed sequence to the operation of the series of motor units Without any provision whatever for variation therein.

Each of the receivers may be provided with a usual float or other alarm device, (typified at to, Fig. 1,) which will sound an audible alarm to or other signal to show the attendant when the water-level in said receiver has reached the proper level.

The apparatus described while convenient and efficient for its intended purpose is not necessarily the only embodiment of my invention that maybe employed to advantage. Consequently my invention is not limited to the particular embodiment here shown and described.

While I have found it convenient to employ the rising tides to furnish the required supply of water without cost, yet my system of apparatus may be employed from other sources of supply than the inflowing tide should such sources be at hand.

Having described my invention and without limiting myself as to details, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A tide-motor comprising a plurality of motor units arranged at difierent levels, to be set in operation successively by a rising tide, and a plurality of receivers, to take the discharge from said motor units, with means for utilizing the contents of said receivers or some of them for continuing the operation of said motor units or one or more of them during periods of inoperation thereof by the tide.

2. A tide-motor comprising a plurality of motor units arranged at different levels, to be set in operation successively by a rising tide, a plurality of receivers, means to conduct the discharge from said motor units into a single receiver during a rising tide, and.

means to draw from said receiver to operate one or more of said motor units during recession of the tide.

3. A tide-motor comprising a plurality of motor units arranged atdifierent levels to be set in operation successively by a rising tide, a plurality of receivers, one of which receivers discharge from said motor units during a rising tide, means to fill one or more of the remaining receivers, and means to supply said motor units or one of them from the receiver or receivers so filled, to operate said motor unit or units during recession of the tide.

i. A tide-motor comprising a plurality of motor units arranged at different levels, to be set in operation successively by a rising tide, a plurality of receivers, one of which receives discharge from said motor units dur ing a rising tide, and means to draw from one of said receivers to operate one or more of said units and discharge into another of said receivers.

5. A tide-motor comprising a plurality of motor units arranged at different levels to be set in operation successively by a rising tide, a plurality of receivers, means to conduct the discharge from said motor units into one of said receivers during a rising tide, means to fill one or more of said receivers during rising tide independently of said motor units, and means to operate said units or one or more of them from said independently-filled receivers during receding tide and discharge into other or others of said receivers.

6. A tide-motor comprising a plurality of motor units arranged at difierent levels to be set in operation successively by a rising'tide, a receiver or receivers for the discharge from said motor units, one or more receivers and means to fill the same independently of said motor units during rising tide, and means for operating some of said motor units during receding tide from the receivers containing the discharge of said motor units during rising tide and also from said independently-filled receivers, whereby during rising tide, all said motor units are operated from the tide-water and during receding tide one of the motor units or some of them are operated during part of the time by the return of the dis charge from the operation during rising tide and at other times from said independentlyfilled receivers.

7. A tide-motor comprising a plurality of motor units arranged at different levels to be set in operation successively by a rising tide, a plurality of receivers and means for placing said receivers severally in communication with all said motor units and controlling devices for said means to operate substantially as described.

8. A tide-motor comprising a plurality of series of motor units arranged at different levels, said series to be set in operation successively by a rising tide, receivers for the discharge from said motors, and means to return such discharge from said receivers through said motor units or some of them to operate the latter during receding tide.

A tide-motor comprising a plurality ofseries of motor units, said series being arranged at different levels to be set in opera tion successively by a rising tide, a plurality of receivers, and means for placing said series of motor units severally in communication with all said receivers, and valves controlling such means. a

10. The combination with a plurality of motor units arranged at different levels, each with an independent inlet, said inlets also being at different levels, a plurality of receivers connected therewith to receive discharge therefrom, and means to operate said motors or some of them from said receivers independently of the supply through said motorunit inlets.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN T. GOPITHORN.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK L. EMERY, A. E. OHEsLEY. 

